Pressurized fluid applicator for sheathed cables and the like

ABSTRACT

A portable pressurized fluid applicator which is specifically adapted for cleaning or lubricating sheathed cables and the like comprises a relatively rigid cylinder and a relatively flexible tubular extension on one end of the cylinder. A plunger member moves axially through the cylinder to force a fluid into the tubular extension. A sleeve adapter is placed around the end of the sheath for insertion into the open end of the tubular extension, and an adjustable clamp is positioned over the flexible tubular extension to contract the extension and adapter into fluid-tight, clamping engagement with the cable sheath whereby the fluid discharged into the extension will be forced through the space between the cable sheath and cable.

Patented May 8, 1973 FIG. 3

FIG. 2

. INVENTOR N A H M 5 m A MT t fm m M f E/ Bif O .RY E r PRESSURIZED FLUHD APPLICATOR FOR v SHEATHED CABLES AND THE LiKE This invention relates to a novel and improved pressurized fluid applicator for sheathed cables and the like.

There are a number of applications in which a cable or line is slidably disposed in an outer sheath for the purpose of transmitting mechanical motion. Crustomarily, cables of this type are used as control lines on bicycles,v motorcycles, power mowers, speedometers and the like to effect braking or gearchanging in response to actuation of a hand lever. Such cables frequently become dirty or corroded and require periodic cleaning and lubricating for effective operation.

Fluid applicators suitable for cleaning and/or lubricating sheathed cables presently in use typically have a housing adapted to receive fluid under pressure and have an open end into which the cable is received. Once the cable is in place the end of the housing is sealed off and fluid introduced into the housing is forced between the cable and sheath. The present invention is intended to afford definite advantages and improvements over the prior art in a manual applicator which can be easily fabricated and rapidly loaded with hydraulic fluid or other lubricant or cleaning fluid, and can be positively but releasably clamped over the cable sheath and manually operated in such a way as to develop the pressures needed to force the fluid through the entire length of the sheath.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a novel and improved pressurized portable fluid applicator which can be easily fabricated and clamped onto the end of a sheathed cable or similar types of control lines for the purpose of forcing a solvent or lubricant through the sheath in a dependable and efficient manner.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved pressurized fluid applicator for introducing a fluid such as a lubricant or solvent between an elongated control line and outer sheath, said applicator is relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture, is comprised of a minimum number of parts and is convenient to apply to the cable.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide for a novel and improved pressurized fluid applicator which is capable of being positively but releasably clamped to the end of an outer protective sheath for an elongated control line in such a way as to establish a fluid-tight seal for the introduction of cleaning fluids or lubricants under sufficient pressure to clean or lubricate the entire length of the line, the applicator being readily conformable for use in effecting positive clamping engagement with seals of widely varying sizes and further capable of developing sufficient pressure under manual actuation to clean or lubricate control lines of extended lengths.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide for a novel and improved pressurized portable fluid applicator adapted for cleaning or lubricating elongated control lines slidably disposed in an outer protective sheath and characterized by clamping means forming an axial extension of a pressure cylinder and wherein the clamping means is so constructed and arranged as to establish fluid-tight, positive but releasable clamping engagement with the outer protective sheath as well as firm clamping engagement with the pressure cylinder so as to permit introduction of fluid under relatively high pressures through the outer protective sheath without danger of separation either between the clamping means and pressure cylinder or the clamping means and the outer protective sheath.

ln accordance with the present invention a portable, manually operated, pressurized fluid applicator has been devised for cleaning and lubricating control cables of the type used on bicycles, motorcycles, power mowers and the like; for instance, of the type commonly referred to as Bowden cables. The fluid applicator of the present invention is characterized in particular by a flexible clamping assembly to establish positive but releasable clamping engagement with one end of the cable sheath so as to form a fluid-tight seal therewith and to permit the introduction of fluid under pressure from a manually operated pressure cylinder through the entire length of the sheath. The clamping assembly is preferably defined by a flexible tubular extension which forms an axial continuation of the manually operated pressure cylinder. The tubular extension is composed of a plastic material capable of thermal expansion followed by contraction upon cooling, and the extension is so dimensioned that when heated it can be expanded or stretched to a sufficient degree to permit endwise insertion of the pressure cylinder into position within the extension. Upon cooling, the extension will contract sufficiently to clampingly engage the external surface of the cylinder so as to prevent accidental separation between the extension and cylinder under the high pressures developed in forcing the fluid through the cable line. Even more positive clamping engagement is achieved bygplacing one or more external grooves in the external surface of the cylinder so that the tubular extension will contract into the grooves, and further may be positively clamped onto the cylinder with the aid of a separate clamp which is placed over the extension around the area of the groove. The-end of the tubular extension opposite to the cylinder is provided with a sleeve adapter which is removable from the extension for placement over the external surface of the sheath, following which the assembled sleeve adapter and sheath may be inserted into the open end of the tubular exten sion. A clamp is then applied over the end of the tubular extension to compress the end portion of the extension tightly against the sleeve adapter and sheath to form a fluid-tight seal except for the concentric space left between the control line and the sheath. The lubricant or otherliquid to be forced through the cable sheath is poured into the pressure cylinder, and a plunger is manually advanced through the cylinder to force the fluid under pressure through the sheath. Depending upon the length of the sheath, the pressure cylinder may be filled with fluid a number of times and the operation repeated to assure complete lubrication or cleaning o'f the entire length of the control line. Different sizes and thicknesses of sleeve adapters may be employed to make the pressure applicator readily conformable for use in applying lubricants or solvents to different sized cable sheaths, although the clamping assembly as described is sufficiently flexible to permit compression down to the size necessary to establish a fluid-tight seal with most standard-sized cable and sheath assemblies presently on the market.

Other objects, advantages and capabilities of the present invention will become more apparent as the description proceeds taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. l is a vertical sectional view of a pressurized fluid applicator.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the applicator shown in FIG. l; and

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of an end portion of the applicator shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 with the flexible extension being positively clamped against the flexible sleeve adapter and cable sheath.

Referring in more detail to the drawings, there is shown in FIG. l a preferred form of pressurized fluid applicator 1l in assembled relation and in firm clamping engagement with a conventional cable control line. For the purpose of illustration and as a setting for the present'invention the cable control line is shown to be comprised of an outer protective sheath 27 in which is slidably disposed a wire cable 28 having an enlarged, headed end portion 29, the latter being utilized for connection to a control lever or other suitable control means. Of course, the control line as described is merely representative of a variety of types of control lines presently used on bicycles, motorcycles, power mowers and in which it is important that the cable 23 be freely slidable through the outer protective sheath in transmitting motion from the control lever or other means to a member to be controlled, such as, a brake or speedchanging device.

In the preferred form, the pressurized fluid applicator is broadly comprised of an elongated pressure cylinder l2, a plunger 21 slidable through the cylinder and an outer flexible tube 13 which includes a flexible tubular extension 13a forming an axial continuation of the cylinder with a sleeve adapter 25 inserted in the end of the extension and an outer clamping member 36.

As illustrated in detail in FIGS. 1 and 2, the pressure cylinder is essentially of conventional construction and may be any one of a variety of types commercially available on the market, such as, the Stylex cylinder manufactured by Pharmaseal Company of Los Angeles, California. The Stylex cylinder is of the disposable or throw-away type used in medical practice and is composed of a lightweight, relatively inflexible plastic material. Specifically, the cylinder includes an external flange designated 14 at its open end and a forwardly convergent end wall 15 at its opposite end which terminates in a restricted discharge opening 16. The end wall l5 effectively serves as an end stop to limit movement of the plunger through the cylinder in discharging fluid deposited in the cylinder through the discharge opening 16.

In turn, the plunger element 21 has a flexible seal 31 at its leading end which is suitably composed of a rubber or rubber-like material and has axially spaced external ribs 32 and 33 movable in sealed relation to the inner surface of the pressure cylinder, and the leading extremity of the seal is slightly tapered so as to conform to the shape of the dividing wall 11.5 at the leading end of the cylinder. The plunger rod 34 terminates in an enlarged, flat head 35 at the end opposite to the seal, and the plunger is dimensioned to be of a length such that the head 35 will abut the flange 14 when the seal has reached its end limit of movement against the end wall l5 in forcing all of the fluid out of the cylinder. In

the form shown, the rod is made up of a series of four longitudinally extending, radial ribs 34a at equally spaced circumferential intervals and the ribs 34a are reinforced by axially spaced ribs 34b. The plunger rod is reciprocal through the cylinder in forcing liquid under pressure through the limited opening 16 and is removable from the cylinder to permit filling of the cylinder with the desired quantity and type of fluid, such as, a solvent or oil. For a purpose to be described, an external groove 23 is formed in the pressure cylinder wall adjacent to its leading end.

A principal feature of the present invention resides in the flexible clamping assembly and the manner in which the assembly is permanently attached to the pressure cylinder'and positively but releasably clamped to the end of the cable sheath 27. Preferably the tubular member 13a is composed of a flexible plastic material; that is, a material that possesses a relatively high degree of flexibility compared to the relative inflexibility of the pressure cylinder and further can be expanded and contracted in a manner to be described both for the purpose of establishing positive clamping engagement with the pressure cylinder and cable sheath. Tubes composed of polyvinyl chloride or polyethylene compounds have been found to be particularly suitable for this purpose. In the preferred form, the tube 13a is dimensioned to be of a normal diameter less than that of the cylinder but can be expanded sufficiently for insertion of the pressure cylinder through the end of the tubular member and thereafter will contract into close-fitting engagement with the external surface of the cylinder; and further the tube is given a length such that the full length of the pressure cylinder may be inserted through one end of the tubular member with the remainder of the tube forming an axial continuation of sufficient length to permitinsertion of the end of the cable sheath together with the end of the control line 28 and end connector 29 into the end of the extended portion of the tubular member. Thus the tube 13 projects forwardly substantially beyond the end wall 15. ln assembling the tube over the cylinder, the tubular member 13 will be contracted into the external groove 23 and the clamp 24 positioned over the tube in surrounding relation to the groove to aid in establishing positive clamping engagement betweenthe tube and pressure cylinder. As a preliminary to application of the clamp,the tube may be reheated inthe area surrounding the groove 23 so that the clamp is able to squeeze the material fully into the groove as shown. The clamp 24 may be a permanent type of clamp such as a Panduit clamp; or in the alternative, the tube 13 may be bonded to the external surface of the pressure cylinder to permanently attach the tube I3 to the pressure cylinder.

The procedure followed for assembly of the tube 13 over the pressure cylinder will depend upon the characteristics of the plastic material employed. If the material possesses positive thermal expansion characteristics, it will permit expansion upon application of heat followed by contraction upon cooling. Accordingly, the tube is first heated to the degree necessary to be expanded to a diameter greater than that of the pressure cylinder following which the inner surface of the tube is lubricated and it is slipped over the external surface of the cylinder until it abuts against the flange 14. Upon cooling, the tube will contact tightly against the external surface of the pressure cylinder and into the external surface of the groove 23. Many of the plastic materials can be oriented so as to be heat-shrinkable or in other words will shrink upon application of heat. ln that case, the tubular member may be of a normal diameter greater than the diameter of the pressure cylinder and would first be slipped over the external surface of the cylinder and thereafter upon application of heat would shrink or contract into tight-fitting engagement with the pressure cylinder and remain so after cooling. It is highly desirable that the tube be of a length to extend for the greater length of the pressure cylinder or at least substantially beyond the external groove 23 to establish the desired clamping engagement with the pressure cylinder so as to prevent accidental separation notwithstanding the high pressures developed against the end of the tubular extension in applying fluid under pressure to the cable sheath.

The flexible sleeve adapter 25 is also generally of a tubular configuration and of a thickness to be capable of substantially filling the space between the end of the tubular extension 13a and the external surface of the cable sheath so as to cooperate with the open end of the tubular extension in establishing a fluid-tight seal with the end of the cable sheath. For this purpose, the

sleeve adapter may be composed either of a reinforced or non-reinforced rubber or rubber-like composition of a greater thickness than that ofthe flexible extension. ln order to permit the necessary expansion for placement over the end of the sheath, the adapter is slit through its thickness on one side and along its entire length as designated at 26. Thus the adapter is spread apart at the slit 26 and placed over the end of the sheath and then inserted with the sheath into the open end of the tube as illustrated in FIG. 3. The adjustable clamp 36 is then tightened down at the open end of the tubular extension so as to contract or compress both the tubular extensions 13a and sleeve adapter 25 inwardly against the sheath 27 to form a fluid-tight seal, as shown in FIG. l. In this relation, the clamping assembly at the open end of the tubular extension is illustrated in detail in FIG. 3 just prior to tightening of the clamp, and is illustrated in sealed relation in FIG. l after the clamp has been tightened to compress the elements together including the walls of the sleeve adapter on opposite sides of the slit 26 which are urged together as the clamp is tightened. d

ln use, after the clamping assembly is assembled over the end of the cable sheath as above-described, the fluid applicator is disposed in an upright position as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the plunger 21 removed from the pressure cylinder and lubricant or other fluid is poured into the cylinder to pass into the chamber defined by the tubular extension above the sleeve adapter 25. The plunger is then inserted into the cylinder and manually forced inwardly through the cylinder to cause the lubricant to flow under pressure through the space or concentric area between the control line 28 and cable sheath 27. For the purpose of illustration but not limitation, manually operated pressurized fluid applicators of the type described are capable of developing pressures in the range of 35 psi to 70 psi. Depending upon the length of the cable and the quantity of lubricant necessary to lubricate the entire length, additional lubricant may be added to the pressure cylinder and the plunger reinserted in a number of successive operations until the lubricant has been forced throughout thev entire length of the control member.

Although the present invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure has beenmade by way of example and that changes in details of structure may be made without departing from the spirit thereof.

What is claimed is:

l. In a pressurized fluid applicator adaptor for applying fluid under pressure longitudinally through an annular space between inner and outer spaced, elongated concentric members wherein said applicator includes a pressure cylinder having a plunger element movable in sealed relation through the cylinder to force a fluid through the leading discharge end of the cylinder, the improvement therewith comprising:

an elongated open-ended tubular extension defining an axial continuation of the leading discharge end of said pressure cylinder, said tubular extension being composed of a material capable of contraction into close-fitting engagement with the cylinder, an end portion of said extension disposed over a major portion of the length of said pressure cylinder,

a sleeve adaptor embracing the end of the outer concentric member and being removably insertable into the open end of said tubular extension, and

clamping means on said tubular extension being operative to contract a portion of said tubular extension radially inwardly into a groove in the outer surface of said pressure cylinder whereby to positively retain said tubular extension in positive, fluid-tight sealed relation to said pressure cylinder.

2. In a pressurized fluid applicator as set forth in claim l wherein said plunger member is removable from the cylinder to facilitate the filling of the cylinder with a fluid.

3. In a pressurized fluid applicator as set forth in claim 1 further including a wall in the end of the cylinder having a restricted discharge opening between the inside of the cylinder and the inside of the tubular extension providing a stop for the plunger member.

4. In a pressurized fluid applicator for sheathed cables and the like in which a hollow, generally rigid cylinder has a plunger movable axially therethrough for discharging fluid under pressure through a restricted opening at the end of the cylinder, the combination therewith comprising:

a flexible tubular extension disposed in fluid-tight vsealed engagement with a major portion of the length of said pressure cylinder and having a portion defining an axial continuation of the leading discharge end of said pressure cylinder,

a sleeve adaptor embracing the outer sheathed portion of the cable for removable insertion into the open end of the axial continuation of said tubular extension, and first clamping means contracting the axial continuation of said tubular extension radially inwardly against the sleeve adaptor to compress the sleeve adaptor into fluid-tight clamping engagement with the cable sheath, and

second clamping means on said tubular extension bles and the like comprising:

a pressure cylinder defining a fluid reservoir and having an open-end and a wall closure at the opposite discharge end provided with a narrow discharge opening and a plunger member movable axially in sealed relation through the cylinder, said cylinder having an external annular groove at the leading end thereof, said plunger member including a flexible plunger head and an elongated plunger rod extending through the open-end of the cylinder and terminating in a flat upper portion externally of the cylinder, said plunger member being removable from the open-end of the cylinder to facilitate the filling ofthe cylinder with a fluid,

an elongated open-ended flexible plastic tube having a portion thereof telescoping over said cylinder along a major portion of the length of said cylinder and being contractually sealed to the cylinder, a clamp on the tube to radially contract the tube into the annular groove of said cylinder,

a flexible sleeve adapter having a slit longitudinally thereof for embracing the cable sheath removably inserted into the open distal end of the tube, and

an adjustable clamp on the distal end of the tube for positively compressing a portion of the tube radially inwardly against said sleeve adapter to contract the tube portion and force the sleeve adapter into fluid-tight clamping engagement with the sheath to form a seal at the distal end of the tube whereby the fluid is injected under pressure in the space between the cable and the sheath upon the actuation of said plunger member. 

1. In a pressurized fluid applicator adaptor for applying fluid under pressure longitudinally through an annular space between inner and outer spaced, elongated concentric members wherein said applicator includes a pressure cylinder having a plunger element movable in sealed relation through the cylinder to force a fluid through the leading discharge end of the cylinder, the improvement therewith comprising: an elongated open-ended tubular extension defining an axial continuation of the leading discharge end of said pressure cylinder, said tubular extension being composed of a material capable of contraction into close-fitting engagement with the cylinder, an end portion of said extension disposed over a major portion of the length of said pressure cylinder, a sleeve adaptor embracing the end of the outer concentric member and being removably insertable into the open end of said tubular extension, and clamping means on said tubular extension being operative to contract a portion of said tubular extEnsion radially inwardly into a groove in the outer surface of said pressure cylinder whereby to positively retain said tubular extension in positive, fluid-tight sealed relation to said pressure cylinder.
 2. In a pressurized fluid applicator as set forth in claim 1 wherein said plunger member is removable from the cylinder to facilitate the filling of the cylinder with a fluid.
 3. In a pressurized fluid applicator as set forth in claim 1 further including a wall in the end of the cylinder having a restricted discharge opening between the inside of the cylinder and the inside of the tubular extension providing a stop for the plunger member.
 4. In a pressurized fluid applicator for sheathed cables and the like in which a hollow, generally rigid cylinder has a plunger movable axially therethrough for discharging fluid under pressure through a restricted opening at the end of the cylinder, the combination therewith comprising: a flexible tubular extension disposed in fluid-tight sealed engagement with a major portion of the length of said pressure cylinder and having a portion defining an axial continuation of the leading discharge end of said pressure cylinder, a sleeve adaptor embracing the outer sheathed portion of the cable for removable insertion into the open end of the axial continuation of said tubular extension, and first clamping means contracting the axial continuation of said tubular extension radially inwardly against the sleeve adaptor to compress the sleeve adaptor into fluid-tight clamping engagement with the cable sheath, and second clamping means on said tubular extension overlying said pressure cylinder into an external groove in said pressure cylinder whereby to positively retain said tubular extension in fluid-tight sealed engagement with said pressure cylinder.
 5. A pressurized fluid applicator for lubricating cables and the like comprising: a pressure cylinder defining a fluid reservoir and having an open-end and a wall closure at the opposite discharge end provided with a narrow discharge opening and a plunger member movable axially in sealed relation through the cylinder, said cylinder having an external annular groove at the leading end thereof, said plunger member including a flexible plunger head and an elongated plunger rod extending through the open-end of the cylinder and terminating in a flat upper portion externally of the cylinder, said plunger member being removable from the open-end of the cylinder to facilitate the filling of the cylinder with a fluid, an elongated open-ended flexible plastic tube having a portion thereof telescoping over said cylinder along a major portion of the length of said cylinder and being contractually sealed to the cylinder, a clamp on the tube to radially contract the tube into the annular groove of said cylinder, a flexible sleeve adapter having a slit longitudinally thereof for embracing the cable sheath removably inserted into the open distal end of the tube, and an adjustable clamp on the distal end of the tube for positively compressing a portion of the tube radially inwardly against said sleeve adapter to contract the tube portion and force the sleeve adapter into fluid-tight clamping engagement with the sheath to form a seal at the distal end of the tube whereby the fluid is injected under pressure in the space between the cable and the sheath upon the actuation of said plunger member. 